sheridan



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M. P. WHITE & D. G'- SHERIDAN.

COMBINED BRIDLE AND HALTER.

Patented D60. 25; 1883.

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TATES Ni r MEB-R-ITT F. \VHITE AND DAVID G. SHERIDAN, QF BRIDGEPORT, CONN.

COMBINED BR IDLE AND HALTER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 290,826, dated December 25, 1883,

Application filed January 23, 1833. (No model.)

1'0 all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, MERRITT F. NVHITE and DAVID G. SHERIDAN, citizens oftheUnited States, residing at Bridgeport, in the county of Fairfield and State of Connecticut, have invented certain Improvements in Harness; and we do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference' being had to the drawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form part of this specification.

Our invention is a combined halter and bridle; and it consists of a halter, which is constantly worn by the horse, and a supple- -mental strap having the bits adjustably connected thereto, the said strap suspended so as to be readily applied and form with the halter a bridle.

In the drawings, which serve to illustrate our invention, Figure 1 represents a view in perspective of the supplemental strap suspended. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the snap. Fig. 3 is a broken view in perspective of the lower portion of one of the free endsof the strap, showing the same provided with a stiffening-strip of metal and an adjustable clip to connect with the bit. Fig. 4. is a View of the clip opened. Fig. 5 represents a perspective view of the tongue of the snap. Fig. 6 represents a horses head provided with an ordinary halter having the snap attached thereto. Fig. 7 represents a view of the ap paratus properly adjusted and ready for operation.

Referring to the drawings, A represents the supplemental strap; a a, its lower ends; 0 0, adjustable clips,- (2, bolt; Z, nut; B, metal strip; 0, snap; e, tongue; f, spring; D, suspended cord; E, catch; F, bit.

The strap A, Fig. 1, which preferably consists of one piece or strip, isbent in the form of a loop, and has secured to each of the lower ends, a a, the adjustable clips 0 0, which connect with the rings 9 g of the bit F. The strap A may be constructed entirely of leather or other material stiff enough to retain its proper shape, or it may be further stiffened by inserting the metal strip B within the folds of the strap A, as seen at Fig. 3; in other words, two strips of leather are stitched together at the edges, leaving a central opening or pocket to receive the metal strip.

The lower end of the clip, which is attached to the bit-ring, may be made in the form of a common snap; but we prefer to construct it in two parts, as shown, each a counterpart of the other, and jointed at the lower end by the pin or rivet h, (see Fig. 4,) and the upper parts, i 2', provided with the series of holes j, which, in connection with a hole provided through the end of the strap, will give the necessary adjustment, the same secured by the bolt d and nut Z. To connect the clip with the ring of the bit, it is detached from the strap A and opened in the manner as shown in Fig. 4., the two sections swinging by each other on the pin h, the ring dropped into the receptacle K, the sections closed, and the clip secured to the strap.

The snap C, Fig. 2, has the pendant tongue e and the hole m provided (see Fig. 5) to receive the pin n, Fig. 2, on which it freely swings. The lower end of the tongue enters the slot 0 of the base 1) and abuts against the end q of the same. A similar slot is provided in the top of the snap to admit the tongue. The lateral projections r r of the tongue, which rest in the recess 5 of the snap, are provided. by the aid of which the tongue is raised, and hung, as it is, forward of the center, it would always drop; but it is thought best to employ the spring f, situated on top of the snap, which exerts a slight pressure and prevents rattling. The snap O is secured to the neck-strap of the headstall, Fig. 6, and we prefer to widen the said strap by the additional piece, u,to be used as a seat to which the base of the snap is secured. The headstall, as represented by Fig. 6, with the snap attached, forms a permanent fixture on the horse, and is never removed therefrom. The strap A is suspended from the ceiling by the cord D, having catch E, and within easy reach and directly over the position the head of the horse will occupy when in the shafts or at the pole of the vehicle.

When necessary to hitch, the suspended strap A, with bits attached, as represented at Fig. 1, is pulled downward and released from the catch E, the bits placed in the mouth, the strap is swung over the head, the curved portion or top b striking the tongue, raising the same, allowing the strap to pass under, when 2 mos-2e the tongue will drop and securely connect the strap A with the headstall. To unhitch or disconnect the same, the tongue is raised, the

strap withdrawn from the snap, when the bits 5 will drop from the mouth.

In the device as above described it is evident that any form of bit may be used, either straight or linked; and as the strap which connects with the bit passes over the head in a line 10 parallel with the mouth, it follows that the' 7 strain on the bit will always be upward, thus strap provided with a bit, the former adapted to be constantly Worn by the horse, and the latter to be suspended over his head, so as to be 25 readily applied to form a bridle, as set forth.

2. As an improvement in a combined bridle and halter, to facilitate ready hitching, the combination, with the halter without a bit, as shown, and having the holdfast or snap G at- 0 tached to the neck-strap t thereof, of the supplemental strap A, rc-enforced by the metal strip B, the lower end of the branches to a of said strap being adjustably connected to the bit by the clips 0, having the sections 1' t, holes 3 5 j, and pin it, as set forth.

In testimony that we claim the foregoing we have signed our names in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

MERRITT F. lVI-IITE. [L. s.] DAVID G. SHERIDAN. [L. s.] \Vi tnesses:

NM. N. BEARDSLEY, SAJIL. T. Houonrozv. 

